When I think of my southern maternal grandmother, I remember that she made the best beans. Her Great Northern beans recipe was one of my favorites that she prepared. I just loved the creamy texture!
My current favorite way to cook Great Northern beans is in a slow cooker. It’s a more “hands-off” method but the beans still end up tender and flavorful. I had a leftover ham bone from a ham that I had prepared for an extended family dinner so I made some beans. Here’s how I made them:
How To Make Great Northern Beans
- I rinse the beans with water in order to get rid of any dirt or debris. I also make sure to remove any beans that are discolored or damaged.
- Then, I soak the beans overnight. I simply put them in a large bowl, cover them completely with cool water and let them soak.
- In the morning, I put the ham bone in my slow cooker. After draining the water from the beans and giving them one more water rinse, I add them to my slow cooker. Then, I add enough water to cover the beans by approximately 2 inches.
- Next, I add onions and garlic along with my favorite bean seasonings. I use thyme, oregano, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper and bay leaves. (You can add any seasonings that you like though.)
- I cook the beans in the covered slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours. I recommend starting to check at the 6-hour mark to see if they are at your desired tenderness level.
Once the beans are prepared, you can serve them hot or cold. My family prefers them hot. I think that of all the tasty beans that I prepare (black beans, black-eyed peas, etc.) these are now the family’s favorite. Well, at least they are gobbled up the quickest!
This Great Northern Bean recipe is mouthwatering on its own. You can also add the beans to your other favorite recipes.
Slow Cooker Great Northern Beans Recipe
Creamy Slow Cooker Great Northern Beans
Use this Great Northern beans recipe to make delicious beans in your slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 1b bag of dry Great Northern Beans
- 1 ham bone
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprkika
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Rinse the beans well with water in order to get rid of any dirt or debris. Make sure to remove any beans that are discolored or damaged.
- Soak the beans overnight. Put them in a large bowl, cover them completely with cool water and let them soak.
- In the morning, place the ham bone in your slow cooker. After draining the water from the beans and giving them one more water rinse, add them to the slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the beans by approximately 2 inches.
- Add onions and garlic along with the rest of the seasonings (thyme, oregano, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper and bay leaves to the slow cooker and mix everything together.
- Cook the beans in the covered slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours. At the 6-hour mark, begin checking to see if the beans are at your desired tenderness level.
Additional Tips
Here are some more tips for making Great Northern beans in a slow cooker:
- If you don’t have time to soak the beans overnight, it’s fine. Just read the back of the Great Northern bean package for the recommended quick-soak method.
- If you prefer firmer vegetables, you can add them at the half-way cooking mark. I’m fine with my onions and garlic being soft in this dish though so I add them from the start.
- Cooked Great Northern beans can be properly stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, you can omit the meat. A vegetable broth instead of water will give the beans additional flavor.
I hope that this post has helped you learn how to make Great Northern beans in a slow cooker. These beans make a delicious, easy meal (or an addition to a meal). My grandmother served Great Northern beans as a complete meal so that’s my favorite way to eat them.
My guys prefer to enjoy them as part of a larger meal though. Either way – you can’t go wrong by giving Great Northern beans a try.
